The Archaeology Unit was established in 1978 as a unit of the Faculty of Arts within the Department of Anthropology. It provides an administrative structure in which the teaching and research programs in archaeology can be strengthened by the formal participation of scholars in cognate departments. It has the following aims:

to bring together those scholars interested in archaeology as a means of understanding the past;

to create a program of study providing a thorough understanding of the techniques of archaeology, the various theoretical perspectives to which archaeology may contribute, and a knowledge of other disciplines which may contribute to our understanding of the past;

to co-ordinate and conduct archaeological research, both prehistoric and historical;

to establish laboratory facilities and to employ personnel for the conservation of artifacts; and

to maintain liaison with relevant public agencies and private organizations.